did not obtain

USAGE SUMMARY

"did not obtain" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something was not achieved or received. For example, "Despite the team's hard work, they did not obtain the results they were hoping for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Voyeur Video did not obtain the videos lawfully.

The New York Times

Neurocrine did not obtain the license directly from American Cyanamid.

The New York Times

His voucher plan did not obtain the votes to pass.

The New York Times

Women did not obtain the franchise until 1962.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He also did not obtain the Army's required permission to conduct the study.

The New York Times

With time, doctors who did not obtain autopsies were viewed with suspicion.

The New Yorker

However, she did not obtain the seat in the Commons that might have been expected.

The Guardian

He did not obtain a permit to enter Taman Negara national forest.

The New York Times

Albany lawmakers did not obtain a home rule message from local officials in either case.

The New York Times

Google did not obtain prior consent before it collected the Dutch Wi-Fi data.

The New York Times

They had not been charged with espionage, apparently because they did not obtain classified information.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "did not obtain", ensure the context clearly indicates what was not acquired and why it's relevant to the overall message.

Common error

Avoid using "did not obtain" in overly passive constructions. Instead of saying "The permit was not obtained by the company", consider "The company "did not get" the permit" for a more direct and active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not obtain" functions as a negative transitive verb phrase. It indicates the absence of acquiring or receiving something, typically with a specified object. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in various contexts to denote a lack of achievement or possession.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did not obtain" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively communicates the failure to acquire or achieve something. As affirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from formal reports to casual conversation. While "did not obtain" is versatile, remember to select semantically related alternatives, like ""failed to acquire"" or ""did not receive"", to add nuance to your writing. Be mindful of the potential for passive voice constructions and opt for more direct phrasing where appropriate. With its widespread use in news, scientific literature, and encyclopedic content, mastering the use of "did not obtain" is an asset for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to acquire

This alternative emphasizes the lack of success in getting something.

did not receive

This focuses on the absence of receiving something.

did not get

A more informal way of saying something was not received.

was unable to secure

Highlights the inability to ensure or guarantee possession.

did not manage to get

Emphasizes the lack of success in an attempt to acquire something.

was unsuccessful in acquiring

This emphasizes the lack of success in getting something more formally.

missed out on

Suggests a lost opportunity to gain something.

did not come by

Implies that something was not acquired through a typical process.

were denied

Highlights the refusal of something requested.

did not achieve

Focuses on failing to reach a desired outcome or result.

FAQs

How can I use "did not obtain" in a sentence?

You can use "did not obtain" to indicate that something was not acquired or achieved. For example, "The researchers "did not receive" funding for their project", or "The team "failed to acquire" the necessary permits".

What can I say instead of "did not obtain"?

You can use alternatives like ""failed to acquire"", ""did not receive"", or "was unable to secure" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "did not obtain" or "didn't get"?

"Did not obtain" is generally more formal than "didn't get". Use "did not obtain" in professional or academic contexts, and "didn't get" in more informal settings.

What's the difference between "did not obtain" and "did not achieve"?

"Did not obtain" typically refers to failing to acquire something tangible or specific, while "did not achieve" refers to failing to reach a desired outcome or result. For example, you might "did not obtain" a visa, but you might "did not achieve" your sales goals.